Vatican at Closing Time with Sistine Chapel

Vatican and Sistine Chapel Night Tour Description

Your 2-hour tour includes:

• A quieter experience with fewer people

• A guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Galleries

• Raphael Rooms and School of Athens

• Free time to explore on your own

• An expert English-speaking guide 

• Maximum group size of 20

Evening Tour of the Vatican

Take an art history journey with your expert Vatican guide as you walk through the rooms of the most fascinating museums on earth. You'll see works of art in the Pinecone Courtyard and get a great view of St. Peter's Basilica in the evening light, before stepping inside to see some of the world-famous masterpieces kept safely within the Vatican walls.

Pio-Clementino Museum and Nero’s Bathtub

Your tour begins with a visit to the Pio-Clementino Museum, where you'll see three of the most iconic statues in the world. Learn about the myths and legends associated with the Apollo Belvedere, Laocoön and His Sons, and the Belvedere Torso. You'll also visit one of the biggest and oldest bathtubs you'll ever see!

Vatican Galleries

Entering in the afternoon after the majority of the crowds have left, you'll follow your guide through the Candelabra Gallery, Gallery of the Tapestries and Gallery of Maps. Admire the ancient Roman and Greek statues, the Flemish tapestries created by Raphael's students, and the gorgeous topographical depictions of Italy. You'll hear the stories behind these treasures from your expert guide as the Vatican secrets are slowly unveiled to you.

Raphael Rooms

Next on this unforgettable walking tour are the Raphael Rooms. These four galleries are dedicated to one of the true masters of the Renaissance, and you'll find his most famous painting School of Athens displayed here. Take in the stunning frescoes and hear how Pope Julius II commissioned the art, as well as the complex techniques used to create them.

The Sistine Chapel at Night

Your guided evening Vatican tour concludes in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, where the ceiling and the altar wall are adorned by world-famous and inspiring frescoes. Only when you enter the Sistine Chapel is it clear how high the ceiling is and how many paintings are up there. At this point, it is impossible not to appreciate how difficult is must have been for Michelangelo to lay on his back and toil at his masterpiece, year after year.

The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, so visitors are not allowed to speak inside the chapel. Your guide will explain what you'll see in advance and provide you with a map or handout for reference before you enter. Men and women must cover their knees and shoulders before entering, so it's recommended to bring a shawl, scarf, or sweater you can quickly put on.

Take Your Time and Explore the Collections

Depending on your tour time, feel free to explore more of the Vatican on your own after your tour finishes. You can revisit your favorite works of art or simply wander around to enjoy the incredibly peaceful atmosphere of the museums without the daytime crowds.